Indra is leading a new €42.5 million European Defence Fund program to develop a next-generation 4D multiband shipborne radar for future warships, a capability designed to counter evolving threats such as hypersonic missiles unmanned systems and swarming drones.
- The European Defence Fund is backing a €42.5 million program led by Indra to develop the first fully European 4D multiband naval radar. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
- €29.4 million of the total comes from funding by the European Commission. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- The radar demonstrator will use a 4D Active Electronically Scanned Array capable of simultaneous multiband operation. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- The system is intended to improve air and surface surveillance, tracking, and electronic protection. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Spain’s navy supports the project, which aims at future interoperability across European fleets. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Europe’s push to build sovereign advanced sensor technology comes amid rising global demand for naval situational awareness and integrated combat systems.
Program Overview
Under the SHIMBAD (Shipborne MultiBand AESA Demonstrator) initiative Indra will head a multinational industrial consortium to design manufacture and validate a scalable radar prototype.
The radar’s Active Electronically Scanned Array architecture will operate across multiple frequency bands at once. This multiband approach aims to give a single sensor the ability to handle long-range air surveillance precision tracking and electronic protection functions that today often require multiple separate systems.
The European Commission is funding €29.4 million of the total budget with the remainder supplied by industry participants and supporting states.
Technical Goals and Capabilities
The radar demonstrator is being designed to:
- Detect and track airborne threats from drones and cruise missiles to high-speed hypersonic weapons.
- Improve littoral surveillance performance by reducing clutter and enhancing low-altitude tracking.
- Provide support for fire control and simultaneous engagement of multiple threats.
Indra describes the architecture as digital and modular intended to cover the full sensor chain from detection to engagement via one system. The company says demonstrations will be carried out in operational environments to validate performance.
Strategic Context
European navies face a widening threat spectrum from fast, low-observable unmanned systems to advanced missile threats requiring rapid and accurate detection and response. A multiband 4D radar can provide improved situational awareness and resilience against electronic interference.
By leading this program Indra strengthens its position in European radar technology having already participated in more than 90 EDF-backed research efforts and led 13 of them.
Spain’s navy has signaled support for SHIMBAD, framing it as central to shaping future operational requirements for European surface combatants.
Industrial and Operational Impacts
The SHIMBAD demonstrator is part of a broader push within the EU and its member states to reduce reliance on non-European sensor technology and bolster interoperability among allied fleets.
Indra’s leadership role also highlights Spain’s growing industrial footprint in high-end sensor and electronic warfare technology across air and naval domains.
Shorter development cycles and modular system design are expected to help future integration on a range of hull classes from larger combatants to smaller surface vessels.
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